A day of discovery, shared learning and colourful stories all unfolded in the magnificent landscapes of the Copper Coast on Wednesday, October 2nd.
Funded and supported by Waterford City and County Council and Fáilte Ireland, the Learning Journey to the Copper Coast is part of the Waterford Rural Tourism Network development programme being delivered by Runda Hospitality and Tourism Solutions.
Tourism businesses and agencies from across Waterford were invited to embark on a Learning Journey through the Copper Coast area of Waterford. This was the second in a series of five Learning Journeys taking place across all five cluster areas in 2024 and 2025 - Blackwater Valley, Comeragh Uplands, Copper Coast, Gaeltacht na nDéise, and Waterford Estuary.
The Learning Journey gave local businesses the opportunity to learn about tourism experiences and products located in the Copper Coast; connect, collaborate, and get to know each other; gain personal learnings to help their business, cluster and the wider Waterford tourism destination. With 40 people in the delegation there were valuable connections and learnings made throughout day.
Participants were welcomed by Julie O’Brien from Runda Hospitality & Tourism Solutions, and guided along their journey through the Copper Coast by Deirdre Woodbyrne of Rurori Tour Guiding, based in the Copper Coast.
In Durrow the group met with Garvan Cummins, better known as The Greenway Man, who explained about the variety of bikes for hire so cyclists of all abilities can enjoy the freedom of cycling along the Waterford Greenway. At Trá na mBó, Robbie Galvin, Manager of the Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark, gave a fascinating insight into the origin of the rocks, some of which predate the dinosaurs.
Through the village of Bunmahon and onto the Copper Coast Visitor Centre, six Copper Coast businesses; The Greenway & Copper Coast Hostel; Waterford Origins Genealogy; The Hot Pod; Wild with Walshe, Gourmet House Cafe and Surf SUP Tramore; showcased their offerings while the group enjoyed homemade scones and a warm cuppa from the Copper Coast Café.
At the beautiful surrounds of Annestown Beach the group met Marie Power, The Sea Gardener, who provided fascinating insights into seaweed as well as her business which primarily focuses on sustainable seaweed foraging tours. Next stop, the Art Hand Gallery where Miranda and Séan Corcoran showcased their recently opened gallery, full of colourful treasures and explained about life as an Environmental Artist and the recent success of the Talamh Land Art Festival that took place on the Copper Coast in September.
The Engine House in Bunmahon, under new ownership of Johnny and Mags Hurley since the beginning of 2024, provided a delicious lunch for the group and son Jack told the group about the family's ambition for the business.
The last stop of the day was Ballyscanlon Wellness, where manager Eoin Phelan guided the attendees through the lakeside property and spoke about how collaboration was integral to the development of the business which launched earlier this year. The day finished with a deep breath in, and out while the group enjoyed a mindful moment by the lake, guided by Emilyrose of Kawa Wellness.
The Learning Journey to the Copper Coast is part of the Waterford Rural Tourism Network development programme which is funded and supported by Waterford City and County Council and Fáilte Ireland.
Waterford City and County Council and Fáilte Ireland would like to thank all the business who participated and thank especially the businesses who hosted the different aspects of the Learning Journey.
To find out more about the Waterford Rural Tourism Network or to join one of the five Clusters in Waterford please email caroline@runda.ie.
